http://www.mslexia.co.uk/whatson/msbusiness/ncomp_active.php
I’m going to try this one, at least it will give me a focus while I collate and process all the new novel ideas I worked on in Krk…
Category Archives: Uncategorized
On a Roll, Baby
I’m on a roll – roostered again this morning. My new story is taking shape and it is the first really new piece of work I’ve crafted in months and months. I’ve been working on the novel (not sure what is happening with that at the moment, rather a sore subject) and editing stories but I haven’t really written any new material in aaaaages… and now I have. This roostering rocks! And I’ve become a morning person in my middle age and I believe this is all too normal : )
I’ve got new characters in my head and new setting to disappear into when I hit the keyboard – the question is where to send it. Am busy compiling a list of new competitions and will post when ready. Thinking of sending the (half abandoned) novel into the Mylexia comp…
I’m a Rooster.
Gittin' ideas on a Croatian isle...
I’m finally a rooster,I’m a rooster – and no, that is not Chinese astrology (where I’m dog, woof woof), it’s getting up at the crack of dawn type rooster person.
This morning, I got up at 6pm and I sat down and wrote uninterrupted for an hour before heading to work. You may now applaud.
I am not a morning person. Like Bart Simpson, I was blissfully unaware that there was a six o’clock in the morning too, at least the only times I’d ever stumbled upon it were at the end of long stumbling nights… And when people spoke of ‘morning pages’ I scoffed – not for me, I said, I’m rather more the Keith Richards close to the witching hour kind of artist, innit.
There was the occasional,well intentioned morning when I set my alarm clock – but nothing came of it. And all the better, I mused, as I’m awful before the first caffine injection of the day and still carry a warning sign up to two hours afterwards…
So.. what happened? Age, a job, life I guess – and mostly because these evenings I’ve been promising myself that I’d spend writing, I’ve been too tired post work to do anything more than answer a few emails and edit a few stories (if I’m lucky). The result is that the first half of this year has been remarkably unproductive. And there i was, on my Croatian isle, kicking back on Krk for a few days with my Croatian buddy Marina when I started to think aobut how I was going to get the writing done… and it came to me in one fell divine flash swoop ‘Get thee up early” …
And so, a week on, I set my alarm for six this morning. Woke and sat at my laptop and wrote 1,000 words of a story – sketched out the plot of an idea that had been buzzing around my head for a couple of weeks. Now its on paper and I’ll visit it again tomorrow morning at 6pm and expand. And I’ll have it in some sort of shape so I can edit it at the weekend and then start on another idea I have next week.
Moreover, I was so pleased with my little achievement – I was buzzing for the rest of the day.
Lets hope I can keep this up!
Back
And she’s back… after two weeks of holiday covering a sleepy break in rainy Croatia, a friend-a-minute visit to Budapest and a cousin-a-minute break in Dunmore East.
Did a lot of thinking in Croatia (it was raining – really raining hard, hard hard). Have spun up a zillion new ideas for stories for the novel, for ways to make a living as a writer without having to work in a prison – speaking of which, london riots look like they’ll be supplying me with choc-full with pupils for the next while…
The Open University have deemed me ‘appointable’ to tutordom – just awaiting news on a course now. Newcastle turned down my funding application and have joined the other five universities which offered PhD places but no funding (and that has put the caip bás on the PhD idea). And The Moth Arts magazine will be publishing me in September edition.
Seriously thinking of running workshops to subsidize my living expenses… And I’ve got to work out a timetable whereby I can fit in my writing.. not getting much done these days.
I feel a whole loada resolutions coming on… and thoughts are all scattergun but looking ahead.
Fame and Glory on the Wings of a Moth
Got word that my Molly Keane Prize story ‘Snailsock’ is to be published in The Moth Magazine – in either their Autumn or Winter edition. And The New Writer Magazine is using ‘Sheila-na-Gig’ as their lead story in their January 2012 edition… so much fame and glory in one week… bet my phone is being hacked as I type!
And One Comes Rolling Into View – Newcastle offer me a PhD place…
Newcastle University have joined UEA, Exeter, Queens and Bangor in offering me a PhD place this year. There was no mention of funding, however. I’ve written to them to ask what the news is on the funding front. As none of the other unis have offered me anything in that vein, there is no reason to think that Newcastle will. The problem is not my proposal which is clearly solid as I’ve got 100% acceptance – the problem is that I didn’t gain a first in my MA. I was just shy of one but it is not a first. As a politician friend of mine once said, eight votes will always beat seven no matter what way you count them – and a first will always beat a 2:1 no matter what shade of 2:1 it is…
So, as a displacement activity I sent off two radio plays to the Sussex Playwrights’ competition. I’m pretty sick of the prison, however, I wish something else, equally lucrative (or more so, preferably) would rock on up…
Another Ship Tanks And The Reasons I Do This
Another ship went belly up today. I wrote to UEA to prompt them to give me an answer re funding and they replied….. One of those “the competition was strong this year” bla blas. So, without funding, I’m not doing a PhD. Newcastle is the only university yet to reply. If they turn me down for funding too, I’m going to give up on the whole PhD thang – I’m just not going to get there without a first and I can’t afford to self-fund *(they’ve all offered me self funded places).
Also, today, I received an email from a fellow UEA MA graduate. She was congratulating me on my recent win and commendations. She also asked me what I thought these competitions gave me re my writing/career. That got me thinking and here’s the answer:
a) It encourages and motivates.
b) I get published in literary magazines.
c) Money, if I win.
d) It keeps me on my toes and hones and polishes my writing skills.
e) It helps me build up a portfolio just in case I’m ever offered a collection.
f) It gives me an edge when applying for bursaries, residencies, funding etc..
g) It might bring the attention of agents.
h) Short stories are something I can work on when time is limited.
i) One of the agents who visited UEA on our MA said its important to build up your writing ‘credits.
j) Agents are human and sometimes don’t trust their own judgement, so wins and commendations give you that ‘seal of approval’/credibility.
k) It reminds me I”m a writer.
L)It’s a better displacement activity than making a cup of tea.
M) It helps in the applying for writing jobs game.
And in light of a ship tanking, I launched another one, sending off a radio play of mine to the Sussex Playwrights’ competition.
Current Comps for ya’ll to chew on…
Rubery Short Story Competition
Competiton closes 30th September 2011
http://www.ruberybookaward.com/enter-the-short-story-competition.html
Society of Women Writers and Journalists Life Writing Competition
Entries of up to 3,000 words from women writers in two age categories (20-40 and 40+ years); any form of life writing is acceptable (for example blogs, diaries, memoirs, biographies, correspondence).
Entries cost £7 against first prizes of £3,000 in each age bracket. The closing date is 30th September 2011. Full details here.
Creative Ink “Dear John” Competition
Creative Ink Publishing is looking for short (600 word) “Dear John”-style letters/emails. Winning entries will be filmed, and there’s a first prize of £100. Full details here.
A Vogel Dormeasan Write A Short Story For Bedtime Competition
Entries should be between 1,500-3,000 words. Neither children’s writing nor erotica please. There’s a £500 first prize and several lesser prizes and publication chances. Entry is free. The deadline is 28th October 2011 and more details can be found here.
Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2011
Now in its third year, the competition is open to anyone worldwide who has not published a complete book. They are looking for creative submissions in one of three categories: Poetry, Fiction or Life Writing.
To enter, simply fill in the application form (via the link below) and send it with your entry and fee of UK Sterling £6.00 if entering one category, £10.00 for two and £15.00 for three categories (see terms and conditions via the link). Payment can be made by Paypal. Details: http://www.wasafiri.org/prizes.asp
Flash 500 short fiction competition
Now in its second year, this quarterly open-themed competition has closing dates of 31st March, 30th June, 30th September and 31st December. The results will be announced within six weeks of each closing date and the three winning entries each quarter will be published on this website. Entry fee: £5 for one story, £8 for two stories. Optional critiques: £10 per story. Details: http://www.flash500.com/
Laurel House short story competition
Each story entered will receive a 400 word critique.
The winner will receive £100, a full and comprehensive LHCW critique with suggested markets, an online tutorial and publication on our website.
First runner up will receive a full LHCW critique and publication on our website. Stories should be up to 4,000 words – double spaced, in a word document. Entries are judged anonymously so please include a cover sheet
with your name, email address, home address and title of story. Details: http://laurelhousecreativeworkshops.webs.com/index.htm
Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook Writing Competition 2012
A & C Black, publishers of The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, have announced details for their 2012 short story competition, being run in conjunction with The Arvon Foundation. Stories of up to 2,000 words are required. This year’s theme is “identity”. Entries should be for an adult audience, so no children’s fiction please. The closing date for competition entries is 14th February 2012. You can find full details here and here.
Big Issue in the North “Night” Short Story Competition
Details from NAWE’s Young Writers’ Hub: The Big Issue in the North Trust is running a short story competition in association with The Night Light, an online magazine based in Manchester
Short stories, up to 2000 words, based on the theme of ‘Night’ are requested. All stories will automatically
be entered for The Big Issue in the North Short Story Award which will be judged by The Night Light; you may also nominate yourself for any of the number of the separate categories such as the Young Writer’s Award or the Genre Fiction Award.
The winning story from The Big Issue in the North short story award will be published in The Big Issue in the North and the runners up stories will appear on www.bigissueinthenorth.com.
The competition is open to everyone and people can submit as many stories as they like. In addition to the main prize, there are several sub-prizes that individuals can apply to, each sponsored by one of the North West’s leading independent literary organisations.
Full details are available here. Closing date for submissions is 12th August 2011.
Fiction Garden Ghost Story competition
The good people over at Fiction Garden are running their first international short fiction competition. As there’s a near-Halloween closing date (30th October 2011), the call is for original ghost stories of up to 2,500 words each. There’s no other restriction, so feel free to interpret that how you will.
There’s a range of prizes on offer including publication in 2012 on the Fiction Garden website and a first cash prize of £100. Full details can be found here.
Clive Cussler Adventure Writers Novel Competition 2011/2012
The Clive Cussler Collector’s Society (that’s their apostrophe, not mine – maybe there’s just one collector) has announced details of their third bi-annual adventure novel writing competition.
The competition is open to unpublished adventure writers who have an original complete novel to enter. Entries may be submitted between 1st October 2011 and 1st January 2012, though as entries are being limited to the first 25 manuscripts received, I’d strongly advise sending your entry sooner rather than later. Manuscripts should be between 50 and 130 thousand words. There’s a US $1000 first prize on offer.
Full competition details are here: http://cusslersociety.com/writers_competition.html
Penguin Ireland / RTE Guide Short Story competition
From RTE’s website: http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/0611/shortstory.html
The winning short story in the Penguin Ireland/RTÉ Guide competition will be published in the RTÉ Guide and on TEN (The Entertainment Network) and the winner will be presented with a special trophy and prize.
Rules: All entries for the 2011 RTÉ Guide/Penguin Ireland Short Story competition should be original, unpublished and previously not broadcast short stories in English of 2,000 words or less. Manuscripts must be typed and cannot be returned.
Entrants name and contact details (address, phone and/or email) should be on a separate page.
The closing date is 6pm, July 15. Send your entries to: RTÉ Guide/Penguin Ireland Short Story Competition, Box 1480, RTÉ Guide, RTÉ, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.
Friends of Morley Literature Festival Short Story Competition 2011
Closing Date: 1 July 2011
Prizes: 1st, £50 / 2nd, £25 / 3rd, £10
For stories of up to 3000 words (no minimum). Winners will be informed by 30 September 2011. Prizes will be presented at the Morley Literature Festival in October 2011. Winning entries will be published in the Morley Observer newspaper.
Address: FM LITFEST, 84 Rein Road, Tingley, Wakefield, WF3 1JA
E-mail: fmlitfest@yahoo.com Send an e-mail to request PDF entry form.
2011 Spilling Ink Review Short Story Prize
Closing Date: 1 July 2011
Prizes: 1st, £250 + publication + free print anthology / 2nd, £125 + publication + free print anthology / 3rd, £50 + publication + free print anthology.
All shortlisted entries will be published and will receive a free copy of the print anthology.
For short stories with a maximum length of 1500 words. There is no theme. All styles (including experimental) and genre-based fiction (mystery, crime, fantasy, science fiction, historical) are welcome.
For more infomation go to: http://spillinginkreview.com/competitions/2011-spilling-ink-short-story-prize/
Mere Literary Festival 2011 – Biennial Open Poetry Competition
Closing Date: 4 July 2011. Prizes – Open Section: 1st, £200 / 2nd, £100 / 3rd, £50 / Runners-Up, 3 x £15
For poems on any topic to a maximum of 40 lines. Visit: www.merelitfest.co.uk for more details.
The Elmet Poetry Prize
Closing Date: 15 July 2011. Prizes: 1st, £300 / 2nd, £100 / Runners-Up, £50
For unpublished poems of no more than 40 lines on the theme of Connections.
Visit: http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/community/libraries/readers/poetry-competition/index.html for full details and entry form.
Higlands & Islands Short Story Association Annual Open Theme Short Story Competition
Closing Date: 31 July 2011. Prizes: 1st, £400 / 2nd, £50 / 3rd, £50
For stories up to 2500 words on any theme, but no stories for children. It is not necessary to have a connection to Scotland, either in the location of the theme or the entrant. Visit: www.hissac.co.uk for more details.
Brighton COW Summer Loving Writing Competition
Closing Date: 31 July 2011
A free-to-enter competition for stories about love. Stories with a minimum of 500 words and a maximum of 1000. You don’t have to be a Barbara Cartland – your story can be soppy, romantic, dark, uplifting or depressing – or even terrifying, much like love itself. Visit www.brightoncow.co.uk for more information.
The 2011 Unbound Press Flash Fiction Award
Closing Date: 1 August 2011.
For fiction up to a maximum of 500 words. There is no theme. All styles (including experimental) and genre-based fiction (mystery, crime, fantasy, science fiction, historical) are welcome. Entries may be submitted via email or post. International submissions are welcomed but all entries must be written in English. As a condition of submitting, the author agrees that Unbound Press has permission to publish the material online and in print. For full details visit http://unboundpress.com
The Biographers’ Club Tony Lothian Prize 2011
Closing Date: 1 August 2011
Prize: £2000
The Tony Lothian Prize supports uncommissioned first-time writers working on a biography.
For further details and entry form visit www.biographersclub.co.uk
The Manchester Fiction Prize 2011
Closing Date: 12 August 2011. Prize: £10,000. For original short stories up to 3000 words. Open internationally to new and established writers aged 16 and over. Visit www.manchesterwritingcompetition.co.uk/fiction for more information.
Sid Chaplin Short Story Competition
Closing Date: 31 August 2011. Prizes: 1st, £300 / 2nd, £150 / 3rd, £75
There will be prizes for the best entries submitted by juniors (writers of different age groups between 8 and 17 years on 31/08/11). In addition there will be a prize for the best entry from a resident within the Parish of Shildon for both the adult and junior categories.
For short stories of not more than 3000 words.
Entry fee: £2.50 (juniors free). Cheques payable to Shildon Town Council.
Address: Shildon Town Council, Council Offices, Civic Hall Square, Shildon, County Durham, DL4 1AH
The Aesthetica Creative Works Competition
Closing Date: 31 August 2011. Prize: £500 plus additional prizes
For fiction of no more than 2000 words in length. The winner and finalists will be published in the Aesthetica Creative Works Annual. To enter: http://www.aestheticamagazine.com/creativeworks
The 35th Annual Salopian Open Poetry Competition
Closing Date: 31 August 2011
Prizes: 1st, £200 / 2nd, £100 / 3rd, £50. Six consolation prizes of £25 will be paid to six runners up. All nine winners will receive a free copy of the Winter issue of Salopeot which will contain all nine winning poems.
Poems not exceeding 40 lines. The competition is open to everyone over the age of 15 years. Entries must be in English and be your own original work, and must not be entered into any other competition, nor have been a prize winner in any other competition. Visit www.thesalopianpoetrysociety.webeden.co.uk for full details.
Gemini Magazine Third Annual Flash Fiction Contest
Closing Date: 31 August 2011. Grand Prize: $1000.
Fiction to a maximum length of 1000 words, with no restrictions on content, style or genre. Entries must be previously unpublished. Both new and established writers are welcome. Six finalists will be published online in the October 2011 issue of Gemini.
Visit www.gemini-magazine.com/contest.html for full details.
Is that a ship I spy on the horizon…?
I’ve been nominated for the Meridian Prize (again). There are 30 on the short list. My second time to enter and second time I’ve been shortlisted. Someone there likes my style – but enough to win? They’ll let us know next week. The last short list was 15 and I didn’t place in the top three. This story is a bit edgier, less traditional, blackly comic. I don’t know if that is a good or a bad thing, or neutral. Still, I don’t have too long to wait. They’ll let us know next week.
Perhaps I should put together a list of up coming competitions for ya’ll and would be delighted if you could update or chip in on any more out there.
...and this is me.
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suehealy 